What Is IB Global Politics

     At McCaskey High School, a wide variety of IB courses are offered for students. IB, also known as International Baccalaureate, is an international organization that offers courses to high schoolers worldwide. These range from more art-focused courses such as IB Visual Arts, to the more in-depth, philosophical IB Theory of Knowledge. One of these courses is the rigorous IB Global Politics, which is taught by … Continue reading What Is IB Global Politics

IB World Languages

By: Sofia Escudero In the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, one subject that many students complain about is World Languages. Learning French, Spanish, or German can feel hard, confusing, and sometimes unnecessary. A lot of students ask, “Why do we even need this?” However, IB World Languages provide students with important and useful language skills that will become essential to them later in life. Learning these … Continue reading IB World Languages

What is McCaskey wishing for in the New Year? 

By: Eleni King Martin As the clocks strike midnight on New Year’s Eve, people around the world vow to improve themselves. Whether this be in a physical, mental, or emotional sense, many people view the New Year as the perfect fresh start. So, as winter break approaches and the year comes to a close, this Vidette writer has asked students and staff around the school … Continue reading What is McCaskey wishing for in the New Year? 

Meet McCaskey Chemistry Teacher Mr. Hatch

J.P. McCaskey High School has a lot of unique chemistry teachers. Every single one of them has their own unique ways of pushing their students towards success. Teachers do this through challenging them with projects or simply helping them with a problem. However, one chemistry teacher at McCaskey stands out. This teacher has become the life of room 252. That is thanks to McCaskey’s very … Continue reading Meet McCaskey Chemistry Teacher Mr. Hatch

What Actually is Artificial Intelligence and How is it Affecting the World?

Artificial intelligence has quickly become the technology of the century. It has developed to the point where it can complete essentially any written task at a human level faster than any of us could have ever imagined. However, most people do not understand the effects of artificial intelligence and how it works. As a result, it is necessary to educate people on what artificial intelligence … Continue reading What Actually is Artificial Intelligence and How is it Affecting the World?

PA Budget Withheld: What About McCaskey?

The Pennsylvania State Budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year is being withheld due to an impasse—meaning that the state government was unable to finalize and agree on a budget plan by July 1st. This has caused a plethora of problems statewide, and education was no exception. PA’s public schools have missed out on $3.76 billion in payments just in the span of three months (July, … Continue reading PA Budget Withheld: What About McCaskey?

Schedule Change & Travel Time: Is It Enough?

By Devon Barnes  This year, J.P. McCaskey High School is undergoing a few changes. There’s the footballstadium renovations, homecoming’s location, and a few more— but, one thing a few studentsare left wondering about is the ever-so-slight schedule change. Start time has been pushed forward by ten minutes, though the reason for this isn’t exactlyknown. Consequently, dismissal has been pushed forward by four, and additional adjustmentshave … Continue reading Schedule Change & Travel Time: Is It Enough?

All About Our Newest IB Class: IB Language and Literature SL

Elisabeth Palacios The International Baccalaureate program here at McCaskey is a highly revered one, and new classes are often being introduced, such as last year’s IB Marine Science course that will be back in rotation next school year. This year, it’s IB English A: Language and Literature.  This is only a one year course, so there is no higher level course to accompany it like … Continue reading All About Our Newest IB Class: IB Language and Literature SL

No Future Nation Without Education

By: Sofia Escudero Across Lancaster, students are speaking out for something bigger than themselves; the future of public education. What started as a Global Politics Internal Assessment turned into a powerful, student-led movement calling attention to the government’s ongoing state budget and funding crisis. On October 8th, students from McCaskey participated in a peaceful walkout organized by junior Thomas McCoy. The goal was simple: to … Continue reading No Future Nation Without Education

McCaskey phones: Ban or No Ban

By Sofia Escudero  Recently schools all over the country have been using YONDER pouches to preventstudents from using their phones. As many administrations believe that this is a way to reducephone use, others disagree. As far as McCaskey goes, views vary. Students in McCaskey overall rather have their phones in their hands for many reasons. Withthe unknown dangers in schools all over America there is … Continue reading McCaskey phones: Ban or No Ban

Meet Mr. Bixler

By Caroline Ponticelli Mr. Bixler is McCaskeys brand new Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (AES) teacher, he’s new to McCaskey and the school system as he freshly graduated from Penn State in 2024!  Mr. Bixler grew up about 30 minutes outside of Lancaster in a town called East Earl. In college Bixler studied a program called “Agricultural and Extension Education” (a hands-on learning program which specialises … Continue reading Meet Mr. Bixler

Adulting 101: Should high schools teach more real life skills?

By Nakaylah Kelley Can you do your taxes? Do you know how to change a tire? Can you do laundry?  What about applying for a loan? If your answer is no, you’re not alone. Many high school students feel unprepared for the “real world.” An adulting class would cover all the basics of life, like changing a tire, learning what taxes are and how to … Continue reading Adulting 101: Should high schools teach more real life skills?